Celebrating Homeownership

The District of Columbia Housing Authority recently honored a dozen people who successfully purchased their homes in the past year.

The annual homeownership celebration, held on June 30, paid tribute to the many years of hard work the new homeowners had undergone in order to purchase their homes. Twelve people had purchased and another five people were under contract at the celebration. In fact, one homeowner was late to the celebration because she was signing the final papers on her new home.

“Here are powerful women who have endured, powered, struggled, and persevered to achieve the American Dream,” said Housing Choice Voucher Program Director Ronald McCoy. “You deserve respect and we are here to honor you.”

One new homeowner Kim Jones shared her story for the crowd.

“I thank God every day for the homeownership program DCHA offers to families,” she said. “I looked forward to getting my key, but I ran into obstacles. I realized anything worth having; you have to work for it.”

Like many people who have purchased a home, Jones thought she was about to go to closing several times, but a new issue would arise that had to be addressed first. She said it became discouraging at times, but the teams in the program—DCHA, DHCD, and other organizations—wouldn’t let her give up.

“I am so grateful I listened to all of them. So no matter what you go through, please don’t give up,” she told the crowd.

McCoy challenged DCHA’s homeownership coordinators Alice Revel and Trinita Tyler to assisting 20 DCHA customers to buy a home each year. Within the past seven years, the duo has averaged 15 homeowners a year, he said.

The crowd heard from representatives of the offices of Council member Anita Bonds and the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development.

DCHD’s Chief Administration Officer Drew Hubbard said the new homeowners are “an example to folks coming up behind you.”